Monthly report on livestock disease trends as informally reported by veterinarians in South Africa August 2012

Monthly report on livestock disease trends as informally reported by veterinarians in South Africa August 2012 Introduction Winter months are usually quieter times for diseases. The biggest issues are nutritional problems: protein and energy deficiencies. Due to poor grazing conditions the green toxic plants such as tulips and gifblaar become a real danger. Animals are put to grazing in vleis and numerous reports of liver fluke infestations were received. Farmers should be aware of this important parasite causing great economic losses.there is a blood test available to diagnose whether there are liver fluke infested animals on your farm. See dr. Rick Last s report. The intermediate host for conical fluke is water snails and numerous outbreaks had been reported where animals had been grazing in vleis. The usual clinical sign is a projectile diarrhoea. During the colder winter months tick numbers usually decline however there still were reports on the presence of blue ticks and outbreaks of African and Asiatic redwater as well as anaplasmosis. Have your animals been vaccinated? Farmers should test the blue ticks to find out which acaricide active goups are still able to control the blue ticks on your farm. Your veterinarian will be able to help you to decide on the best control program. Trichomonosis is still the disease that is reported each month in many parts of South Africa. Bulls should be tested for venereal diseases as these disease lowers the calving percentage significantly. Contact your veterinarian for advice on how to test bulls and how to go about controlling trichomonosis. Brucellosis is a controlled disease and according to law all heifers must be vaccinated against this disease before the age of 8 months (preferably 6 months). Use a dedicated syringe so as to prevent older animals to get into contact with the Strain 19 vaccine. Numerous outbreaks were reported. Numerous BMC (snotsiekte) cases were reported and due to the increase in game farming this fatal disease is increasing. This disease is spread when wildebeest is under stress. Remember there is a virus strain spread by sheep. Enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) is a disease caused by a virus especially in dairy cattle and is of great concern. The virus is transmitted by blood and therefore needle transmission, biting flies and rectal examinations may be transmission routes. Discuss this disease with your veterinarian and have your animals tested for this disease. Reports on outbreaks of many diseases that could have been controlled through vaccination programmes were diagnosed such as: red water, anaplasmosis, black leg, red gut and pulpy kidney. Now is the time to sit down with your veterinarian and discuss and update your vaccination and parasite control programmes. The last word is on biosecurity. The word means securing life on the farm. This means buying in healthy animals, having vaccination and parasite management programmes in place. Fences, entrances (gate control), quarantine camp and dead animal removal are regularly monitored. Level of Reporting The following colleagues submitted reports for August 2012: langa 1

Dr. Neil Fourie and Johan Barkhuizen - Middelburg Drs. Dieter Weber and Wolfgang Niebuhr Piet Retief Dr. Kobie Kroon - Standerton Dr. André Visser Volksrust Dr. Ben Potgieter Ermelo Dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Balfour Dr. André Beytell Nelspruit Limpopo Dr. Gavin Watson Polokwane Dr. Henk Visser - Makopane Drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Ladybrand Drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Harrismith Dr. Dries Lessing - Frankfort - Drs. Collins, King and Delaney Underberg Drs Hartley, Fowler and Delaney - Mooiriver Dr. Phillip Kretzmann - Pietermaritzburg Dr. Francois van Niekerk and J Van Vuuren Humansdorp Dr. Muller Strydom George Dr. Otto Kriek Malmesbury Dr. Jannie van der Merwe - Darling Dr. Ian Vorster Upington Drs. Lizanne de Beer and Dirk vd Merwe - Calvinia Sheep consultant dr. Dave Midgley Feed lot report Dr. Eben du Preez Laboratory reports Dr. Maryke Henton Idexx Dr. Rick Last Pietermaritzburg Me. Jeanette Wentzel Pathcare Town 2

General disease trends and discussion as informally reported by veterinarians during August 2012 Index Internal parasites External parasites Tick borne diseases Insect transmittable diseases Venereal diseases Other bacterial diseases Other viral diseases Fungal diseases Other protozoal diseases Poisonings Disease conditions that are caused by more than one organism or disease causing factor Nutritional deficiencies Ostriches Horses Pigs.. Internal parasites Roundworms 1 1 2 3 B,O B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Intestinal roundworms B,O (2) Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Bottle jaw B (3) Cattle with bottle jaw seen in the wet conditions and is most probably due to internal parasites. Resistant roundworms 3

Tape worms 1 2 O langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Tape worms O (2) Liver fluke 1 2 2 1 3 3 2 3 B B B B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Liver fluke B (3) Infestations especially where animals are grazing in low lying areas, in valleys and near rivers. Liver fluke B (3) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Liver fluke B (2) An upcoming farmer had a severe outbreak in the Kestell area. Cattle grazing in low lying areas and vleis are affected. Treated animals recovered well after treatment. - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Liver fluke B (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Liver fluke B (1) George dr. Muller Strydom Liver fluke B (3) Liver fluke infestations cause big financial losses. Conical fluke (Paramphistomosis) 4

4 2 1 2 3 2 B B B langa Middelburg: drs. Fourie and Barkhuizen Conical fluke B (1) Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Conical fluke B (3) Infestations especially where animals are grazing in low lying areas, in valleys and near rivers. Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Conical fluke B (2) Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Conical fluke B (1) Conical fluke B (3) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Conical fluke B (2) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Conical fluke B (2) Parafilaria External parasites Blue Ticks 2 1 1 2 1 1 3 2 2 1 B B B B B langa Nelspruit: dr. Andre Beytell Tick numbers declining Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Blue ticks B (1) North 5

Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Blue ticks B (3) In summer the number of blue ticks had been low but to our surprise the numbers had increased in winter and anaplasmosis outbreaks occurred. Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Blue ticks B (2) - Mooiriver Blue ticks B (2) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Blue ticks B (3) George dr. Muller Strydom Blue ticks B Very low numbers seen during winter Resistant ticks Bont-legged ticks Brown ear ticks 1 1 3 3 B B Limpopo Makopane (Potgietersrus): dr. Henk Visser Brown ear tick larvae in ears B (3) North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Brown ear ticks B (3) These ticks had never been a problem in this area but are now present in large numbers. 6

Bont ticks (Amblyomma hebraeum) 1 2 B - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Bont ticks B (2) Karoo Paralysis Ticks Biting Lice 3 2 1 2 2 3 B,O B,O,C O langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Biting lice O (2) Due to farmers using injectable parasiticides which do not control red lice sufficiently, their numbers are increasing. Suggest farmers should assess the resistance status of biting lice against actives before dipping their animals with registered products. Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Biting lice B (3) Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Biting lice B,C (1) Biting lice B (1) Most cattle infested. Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Biting lice O,C (2) Very heavy infestations due to kraaling animals at night. Calvinia: dr. Lizanne de Beer and Dirk vd Merwe Red lice O (3) Red lice is a big problem. Sucking Lice 7

2 1 3 3 B,O B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Sucking lice O (2) Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Sucking lice B (3) Sucking lice B (3) Most cattle infested in winter. Screw worm Mites (Sheep scab) 1 1 2 1 1 3 O O O Sheep scab O (1) Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Sheep scab O (1) Calvinia: dr. Lizanne de Beer and Dirk vd Merwe Sheep scab O (3) After the recent sheep scab campaign, numerous positive farms were placed under quarantine by the. Upington: dr. Ian Vorster Sheep scab: O (2) Nuisance and biting flies, 8

Blow flies Midges 1 1 Upington: dr. Ian Vorster Simulium midges found 30 km from the Orange river. Tick-borne diseases African Red water 2 1 1 1 1 2 B B B langa Middelburg:drs. Fourie and Barkhuizen African red water B (1) African red water was diagnosed in 3 bovines on the coldest day of the year. The disease pattern of red water is changing. Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter African red water B (1) African red water B (1) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann African red water B (2) 9

Asiatic Red Water 1 2 1 1 1 2 2 2 B B B B langa Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Asiatic red water B (1) Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Asiatic red water B (2) Cattle were imported from the 3 months ago and an outbreak of B. bovis and Anaplasma marginale occurred. The farmer did not dip the animals as he did not see ticks. Makopane: dr. Henk Visser Asiatic red water B (2) Six animals died Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Asiatic red water B (2) Cattle died due to B. bovis infection. Many immature Boophilus ticks on ventral areas and legs of cattle. Pour-on dips spread poorly in winter. - Underberg: drs. Collins, King en Delaney This disease usually occurs in the hotter summer months but now also present in winter (B 2) Anaplasmosis 1 1 2 2 1 2 3 2 3 2 B B B B B Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Anaplasmosis B (2) Cattle were imported from the 3 months ago and an outbreak of B. bovis and Anaplasma marginale occurred. The farmer did not dip the animals as he did not see ticks. North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Anaplasmosis B (3) In summer the numbers of blue ticks had been low but to our surprise the numbers increased in winter and anaplasmosis outbreaks occurred. 10

Anaplasmosis B (1) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Anaplasmosis B (2) - Mooiriver; drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Anaplasmosis B (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Anaplasmosis B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Anaplasmosis B (1) Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Anaplasmosis B (3) Heart water 1 2 C Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Heart water C (2) Sweating sickness Other tick-borne diseases Corridor disease Insect transmittable diseases Lumpy skin disease 11

Bovine ephemeral fever (Three day stiff sickness) 12 1 2 B - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Three day stiff sickness B (2) Cattle showing typical symptoms. The three day stiff sickness virus was isolated. The outbreak occurred just before an extreme cold snap which is unusual. Blue tongue Rift Valley fever Venereal diseases Trichomonosis 4 1 1 3 1 1 2 3 3 3 0 0 B B B B B B langa Middelburg: drs. Fourie and Barkhuizen Trichomonosis B (2) Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Trichomonosis B (1) Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Trichomonosis B (2) Still remaining a big problem in our area. Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Trichomonosis B (3) Test bulls for venereal diseases when they are taken out of the breeding herd after the breeding season and not only once a year.

Limpopo Makopane (Potgietersrust): dr. Henk Visser Trigomoniase B (3) North Leeudoringstad dr. Ian Jonker Trichomonosis B (3) During pregnancy examinations and bull testing we found a big increase in the number of bulls testing positive for trichomoniasis and vibriosis. Trichomonosis was found on farms where good biosecurity practices were in place. Bulls jump fences and spread the disease. Trichomonosis B (3) Disease is wide spread. Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Trichomonosis 3 (B) Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Trichomonosis B (2) Three out of 4 bulls tested were positive George: dr. Muller Strydom Trichomoniasis B No positive cases found during tests Upington: dr. Ian Vorster Bulls were tested for venereal diseases and no positive cases found. Vibriose 1 0 B George: dr. Muller Strydom Vibriosis B No positive cases found during tests Peestersiekte 1 0 O 13

Upington-dr. Ian Vorster Peestersiekte O. No cases diagnosed. Bacterial diseases Anthrax 1 1 Game Kimberley: dr. Joseph van Heerden Anthrax: At present two suspected cases of anthrax are under investigation (giraffe and blue wildebeest). Black leg 1 2 1 2 3 3 B B B,O,C langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Black leg B (2) Black leg B (3) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Black leg B (2) Five calves died as a result of black leg. According to owner calves were vaccinated. Some farmers vaccinate their calves before the age of 3 months. - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Black quarter B,O,C (3) Swelled head state 14

1 3 B Pulpy Kidney 2 1 2 3 O,C O langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Pulpy kidney O (2) Nelspruit dr. André Beytell Goat kids are being examined for lame hind quarters. Possible reasons may be copper deficiency, chronic pulpy kidney, vitamin B1 deficiency or white muscle disease. Pulpy kidney O (3) Lamb dysentery (Clostrium perfringens type B) Red gut (B)/Blood gut(o) state 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 B B B B langa Middelburg: drs. Fourie and Barkhuizen Red gut B (2) Six bovines died of red gut due to Clostridium perfringens type A infection. The bacteria was isolated at a private laboratory and typed at Onderstepoort. Cattle were on harvested sorghum crop fields. Due to increased energy intake the risk factor increased. The animals were vaccinated! Red gut B (2) - 15

Mooiriver: drs Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Redgut B (2) George dr. Muller Strydom Clostridial infections B (3) Sudden deaths in especially younger heifers, most probably due to clostridial infections. Prussic acid poisoning state Tetanus Botulism 2 1 1 2 B B langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Botulism B (1) Nelspruit dr. André Beytell Large outbreaks of botulism are occurring in Mozambique due to a phosphorus deficiency. Cattle have serious pica and are not vaccinated against botulism. North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Botulism B (2) Cattle died as a result of being fed chicken litter. Brucellosis (Brucella abortus) 2 3 3 3 16

B B langa Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Brucellosis B (2) The biggest problem is that farmers do not address the problem immediately. Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Brucellosis B (3) Huge problem in the area. Limpopo Makopane (Potgietersrus): dr. Henk Visser Brucellosis- controlled Brucellosis B (2) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Brucellosis B (2) Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Brucellosis B (3) Four cows aborted during a period of 4 weeks on a farm. All 4 tested positive for brucellosis. The whole herd were bled and 23 out 156 were positive. Reported outbreak to the veterinary service. Three farms adjacent to the outbreak are also positive and under control. Ram disease (Brucella ovis) 1 3 B Brucella ovis B (3) Tested 11 out of 50 rams and 8 were positive for B. ovis. All rams will now be tested. E. coli 1 1 2 1 B B langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld E.coli B (2) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren 17

E. coli B (1) Salmonellosis Lumpy wool (Dermatophilus) Enzootic abortion (Chlamydophyla) Viral diseases BMC (Snotsiekte) 1 1 1 1 3 3 B B B langa Middelburg: drs. Fourie and Barkhuizen Snotsiekte B (1) Sporadic and severe outbreaks of the disease are seen. Outspoken lesions were seen in Bonsmaras in Groblersdal. Wildebeest and cattle should not have close contact. The farmer lost 45 cattle last season. Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Snotsiekte B (3) outbreaks occurred on three different farms. The one farm had blue wildebeest on the farm and the other 2 had no contact with wildebeest. North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker 18

Snotsiekte B (3) occurred on 3 farms and stud cows died. There had been close contact with blue wildebeest at the fences of neighbours. BVD IBR Warts & Orf 2 1 1 2 3 2 B B B langa Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Warts B (2) Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Warts B (2) Warts B (3) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Warts B (2) Rabies 1 1 Dog 19

Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Rabies in a dog Other viral infections North Delareyville: dr. Dave Midgley Jaagsiekte in a flock of 700 ewes Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Enzootic bovine leucosis B (2) Fungal Diseases Ringworm 2 1 1 1 3 3 2 1 B B B B langa Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Ringworm B (2) Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Ringworm B (3) Mostly in calves from weaning to about 15 months of age. Head mostly infected but sometimes the whole body is covered. state Ringworm B (3) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Ringworm B(2) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Ringworm B (1) Diseases cause by protozoa Coccidiosis 20

1 1 O - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Coccidiosis O (1) Poisoning Urea poisoning 1 2 1 1 1 2 O B B langa Middelburg: dr. Neil Fourie and Johan Barkhuizen Urea poisoning O (1) Farmer lost 25 sheep. The feed manufacturing company used fertilizer urea in the formulation. The size of the urea pellets is larger than feed grade urea and does not mix well. If a lick is made the larger urea pellets tend to separate from the other ingredients and poisoning may occur. Urea poisoning B (1) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Urea poisoning B (1) An upcoming farmer lost 7 cattle. He filled feeding troughs with lick containing urea: too few troughs and cattle had salt hunger. Tulip poisoning Sate 2 1 1 2 1 2 B B langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Tulip poisoning B (1) Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Tulip poisoning B (2) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Warning farmers against the probability of tulip poisoning - the reason being snow falls followed by higher temperatures. 21

- Mooiriver:drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Tulip poisoning B (2) Lantana poisoning 1 2 B Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Lantana poisoning in bovine occurring due to poor grazing conditions. Gifblaar poisoning 1 2 B Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Gifblaar poisoning in bovine occurring due to poor grazing conditions. Animals were moved from Polokwane to Potgietersrust area. Prussic acid poisoning Acidosis 1 1 2 2 O O Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion en Nel Acidosis in sheep in a feed lot. Ewes alredy 2 months in the feed lot. Six sheep died during snow fall, animals ate too much and did not drink enough water during the cold spell. - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet 22

Acidosis O (2) Other poisonings langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Cu/Zn toxicity B (3) Overdosing of injectable trace elements at three times the normal dosage rate resulted in 52 deaths out of a group of 277 animals. The lighter animals were severely affected Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Mycotoxicosis B (1) Upington: dr. Ian Vorster Soutganna (Salsola barbata)- toxicity on two farms due to poor winter grazing. Sheep have bottle jaw and kidney damage due to salt poisoning. Conditions that are caused by more than one organism or disease causing factor Abortions 3 3 2 1 1 2 3 3 3 1 B,O B,O B,C B B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Abortion B,O (2) Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Abortions B,O (2) Piet Retief: drs. Dieter Weber and Wolfgang Niebuhr Abortions: Numerous abortions due to neosporosis and enzootic abortion occurred. Abortions B,O (3) Vrede: dr. Dave Midgley Ewes abort late in gestation, treated animals with tetracycline but is wary that Rift Valley fever might be the cause of the abortions. Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Abortions B (3) A group of 150 heifers were vaccinated 4 weeks ago with Bovishield. The heifers were about 2,5 months pregnant. Nine heifers aborted during a 2 week period. Uncertain history of the vaccination program of the previous year. The laboratory results have not been received but it is a possibility that administering the live vaccine to pregnant heifers could have caused the abortions. No bacteria were isolated. - 23

Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Abortions B (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Abortion B,C (2) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Abortions B (3) Bacterial placentitis leading to abortions. Abortions in dairy cows due to possible sub acute ruminal acidosis allowing absorption of bacteria which led to abortions. Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Abortions B (1) Poor Conception 3 1 1 1 2 3 3 3 B B B B langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Poor conception B (1) Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Poor conception B (2) Nelspruit dr. André Beytell Conception figures down due to poor grazing and late rains. Cows only come on heat during the latter part of the breeding season and calving as a result of this is only going to start later in the season. Poor conception B (3). Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Poor conception B (3) Kimberley: dr. Joseph van Heerden In comparison to last year the lambing percentage of ewes are much higher. Dystocia 24

4 2 2 1 2 2 3 3 2 3 B,O,C B B B B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Dystocia B,O (2) Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Dystocia B (3) Numerous large calves in heifers grazing on harvested crop fields. Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Dystocia B,O (2) Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Dystocia B,O,C (1) Dystocia B (3) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Dystocia B (3) - Mooiriver : Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Dystocia B (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Dystocia B (2) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Dystocia B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Dystocia B (2) George: dr. Muller Strydom Dystocia B (3) Metritis 1 1 1 2 1 3 B B B Metritis B (2) 25

Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Metritis B (1) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Metritis B (3) Due to wet muddy conditions this is an ongoing problem. Retained afterbirths 1 1 1 1 2 1 B B B langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter B (1) Retained afterbirths B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Retained afterbirths B (1) Prolapses 1 1 B Limpopo Polokwane: dr. Gavin Watson Uterine prolapses occurring in Brahman crosses that are in poor condition. Navel infections 1 1 2 1 O B Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Naval ill O (2) 26

Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Naval ill B (1) Joint-ill/Arthritis 1 1 2 1 O B Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Arthritis O (2) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Joint ill B (1) Mastitis 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 B B B B langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Mastitis B (2) Mastitis B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Mastitis B (2) Due to wet muddy conditions this is an ongoing problem. Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Mastits B (3) Due to wet and muddy conditons mastitis due to E.coli is rife. Foot rot and lameness 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 B B B,O B B langa Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld 27

Lameness B (1) Ladybrand:drs. Van Hasselt and Blaauw Lameness B (2) - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Foot rot O (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Lameness B (2) Humansdorp: drs. van Niekerk and J. van Vuuren Lameness B (2) Severe wet condition, created uneven pathways with stones. Up to 30% of herds weer affected. George: dr Muller Strydom Lameness B (3) Severe wet conditions leading to lameness. Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Lameness B (2) Due to wet muddy conditions this is an ongoing problem. Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Footabscess B (3) due to wet and muddy conditions Bloat 1 1 B - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Bloat due to foreign body obstruction B (1) Diarrhoea 4 2 1 2 2 2 2 2 B,O B B B langa Middelburg: dr. Neil Fourie and Johan Barkhuizen Diarrhoea B (2) Diarrhoea in calves still a huge problem. Hope to do research during the next few months to get to the cause of the problem. Ermelo: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Diarrhoea B,O (2) 28

Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Diarrhoea B (2) Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Diarrhoea B (1) Diarrhoea B (2) Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Diarrhoea B (1) Cows that calved during autumn are now grazing on harvested crop fields with their calves. Some calves have severe diarrhoea and even deaths occur. - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Diarrhoea B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Diarrhoea B (1) Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe Diarrhoea B (3) Severe diarrhoea in young calves, 6 to 7 days old due to Cryptococcus Eye infection/opthalmia 2 1 1 2 2 2 B,O B B langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Opthalmia B (1) Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Opthalmia B,O (2) Opthalmia B (2) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Opthalmia B (2) Abscesses 2 1 1 1 29

2 2 2 1 O B B,O B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Abscesses O (2) Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Abscesses B (1) Abscesses B (2) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Abscesses B,O (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Abscesses B (1) Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Abscesses B (1) Pneumonia 3 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 3 3 3 1 2 3 B,O B B,O B,O B B O langa Ermelo: dr. Ben Potgieter Pneumonia B,O (3) Cold weather conditions play a big role in the the occurrence of pneumonia. Balfour: dr. Louis van Jaarsveld Pasteurellosis B,O (2) Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Pneumonia B (2) North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Pneumonia B (3) Due to dusty conditions and ammonia in the kraal, the occurrence of pasteurellosis is widespread. Pneumonia B (3) Weaner calves and ewes with no history of previous vaccinations against pneumonia causing agents. Marquard: dr. Dave Midgley 30

Pasteurellosis in sheep. - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet Pasteurellosis B,O (3) Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Pneumonia B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Pneumonia B (2) George dr. Muller Strydom Pneumonia B (2) especially in larger calves. Upington: dr. Ian Vorster Pasteurellosis O (3) Pneumonia in lambs Lamb survival Dr. Dave Midgley: Lamb deaths lower in lambing systems where lambing pens and drifting systems are used e.g. in Heidelberg, Swellendam, Villiers and Tweeling. Nutritional deficiencies Macro feed deficiencies Protein 1 1 1 2 3 3 B,O B,O,C B langa Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Protein deficiency B,O (2) - Pietermaritzburg: Phillip Kretzmann Protein deficiency B,O,C (3) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Malnutrition B (3) Due to wet muddy conditions this is an ongoing problem. Energy 31

1 1 1 1 2 3 3 1 B B B,O,C B langa Middelburg: dr. Gert Oosthuizen Cows unable to rise. Standerton: dr. Kobie Kroon Energy deficiency B,O (2) North Leeudoringstad: dr. Ian Jonker Poor grazing and advise farmers to treat mealie leaves with a Voermol product, LS 33 (25 liter LS 33 plus 25 liter water and treat 20 kg of roughage with 1 liter of the LS 33 mixture) - Pietermaritzburg: dr. Phillip Kretzmann Energy deficiency B,O,C (3) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek Energy deficiency B (1) Phosphate Calcium 1 1 2 B Humansdorp: drs. Van Niekerk and J van Vuuren Calcium deficiency B (2) Other Micro feed conditions Copper 1 1 32

1 3 C B,O,C langa Nelspruit dr. André Beytell Goat kids are being examined for the reason for lame hindquarters. Possible reasons may be copper deficiency, chronic pulpy kidney, vitamin B1 deficiency or white muscle disease. - Pietermaritzburg: dr. Phillip Kretzmann Copper deficiency B,O,C (3) Selenium 1 1 2 3 O B,O,C langa Nelspruit dr. André Beytell Goat kids are being examined for lame hindquarters. Possible reasons for this may be copper deficiency, chronic pulpy kidney, vitamin B1 deficiency or white muscle disease. - Pietermaritzburg: dr. Phillip Kretzmann Selenium deficiency B,O,C (3) Vitamin A 1 3 B,O,C - Pietermaritzburg: dr. Phillip Kretzmann Vitamin A deficiency B,O,C (3) VitaminB 1 deficiency 1 3 B,O langa Nelspruit dr. André Beytell 33

Goat kids are being examined for lame backs. Possible reasons may be copper deficiency, chronic pulpy kidney, vitamin B1 deficiency or white muscle disease. Metabolic diseases Acidosis state Marquard: dr. Dave Midgley Acidosis in ewes due to lamb. Domsiekte Calvinia: dr. Dirk en Lizanne van der Merwe Lucerne fields were flooded by a river breaking its bank. Sheep were moved to veld grazing and they developed domsiekte. Other conditions Left displaced abomasum - Mooiriver: drs. Hartley, Fowler and Mallet LDA B (2) Malmesbury: dr. Otto Kriek LDA B (2) Correct nutrition and feed trough management especially during the last 3 weeks of pregnancy. Darling: dr. Jannie vd Merwe LDA B (2) Dry dairy cows with displaced abomasums were caused by extensive rainfall, overcrowding of cattle in housing and uncomfortable conditions. When predisposing factors were removed and the number of cows in housing halved the problem was solved. zing temperatures Harrismith: drs. Scheepers, Thirion and Nel Calves of heifers died during and soon after calving. 34

Horses Limpopo Makopane (Potgietersrus): dr. Henk Visser Babesiosis: Horses died Dogs Pigs Feedlot report Feed lot report: dr. Eben du Preez In feedlots nothing extraordinary happened. The usual incidents such as acidosis and pneumonia occurred. The sudden cold took its toll and light calves with poor fat reserves died. Cold winds caused nutritional disturbances. Deaths due to black quarter occurred in North but the Clostridium bacteria causing deaths were not typed. It is important to take 6 smears of affected tissue of an animal that died so as to establish which bacteria is causing deaths. Correct prophylactic measures can be taken to protect the remaining animals in the feed lot. Parafilaria in cattle from the Rustenburg area caused losses due to the large amounts of meat that had to be cut away at abattoirs to remove lesions. Liver fluke caused great losses. Value of a liver is about R80.00 but hidden cost due to loss in weight is about 25kg reduced slaughter weight as well as reduced slaughter percentage. Very often such an animal s immunity is also depressed and lung lesions are seen in such animals at slaughter. In sheep feed lots the general health of the animals were exceptionally well except in lambs that were taken into the feed lots under 25 kg body weight.. Some of these lambs were already older lambs but due to poor grazing conditions they were severe under weight. Such lambs have problems to adapt in the feed lot and their immune status is poor. These lambs often die due to pulpy kidney, pneumonia, anaemia, and succumb due to cold and adaptation problems. Opthalmia as a result of vitamin A deficiency is seen. Vitamin A stores in the liver are depleted and supplying animals with vitamin A is extremely important. Laboratory reports Pathcare Town Jeanette Wentzel Disease condition Specie District Information 35

Pulpy kidney Sheep Ladybrand, Kimberley 1 case in Ladybrand 4 cases in Kimberley Lymphosarcoma Sheep Winburg 3 cases Johne s disease Sheep Malmesbury and Elgin Pneumonia Pigs Bellville Bacterial Pneumonia Cattle Kimberley, Vaalharts, Bethlehem Confirmed histologically Mostly bacterial, 1case aborted foetus Pneumonia Cattle Easten Pasteurella multocida Vitamin B1 deficiency Cattle Bredasdorp Hypoproteinaemia Cattle Riversdal Salmonella Cattle Port Elizabeth Septicaemia Cattle Port Elizabeth Bacterial Placentitis Cattle Port Elizabeth Aborted foetus Cryptosporidiosis Cattle Worcester Coccidiosis Cattle East London Coccidiosis Cattle Oudtshoorn Ketosis (Domsiekte) Goats Bethlehem Lymfosarcoma/Mareks Fowls Malmesbury Tuberculosis Llama Villiersdorp Human TB confirmed Encephalitozoon Dogs Otjiwarongo, Namibië Demodex Rabbits Bellville MONTHLY DISEASE HIGHLIGHTS. CASES RECEIVED AT IDEXX LABORATORIES DURING AUGUST, 2012 submitted by dr. Maryke Henton E. coli was isolated from newly weaned pigs in langa. The only significant PM change seen, was a haemorrhagic small intestine. Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute is again offering an E. coli serotyping service, concentrating on known pathogenic strains. They typed the isolate as E. coli O149:K91,88, which has always been the most common pathogenic strain affecting pigs in South Africa. All the available porcine E. coli vaccines contain one or more of the virulence factors produced by this strain and should therefore protect against it. Lung adhesions and abscesses in 2 month old calves in langa yielded Salmonella Dublin and Streptococcus zooepidemicus. Although most Salmonella cases in calves manifest as enteritis or septicaemia, a significant number show pneumonia as the only sign. When Streptococcus is isolated at about 2 months of age, the source of the infection is often from an umbilical infection. There is an unusually long incubation period associated with such umbilical infections. Streptococcus zooepidemicus infections are rare in ruminants and are most commonly seen in horses. 36

Actinomyces bovis, which usually causes lumpy jaw, was isolated from a bovine lung, from the. Actinomyces bovis can also cause other purulent infections in cattle. Likewise, Actinobacillus lignieresii, which usually causes wooden tongue and abscesses in the head and neck, was isolated from a case of upper respiratory infection and sinusitis in a sheep, area. Mannheimia (Pasteurella) is the most common cause of Blue Udder in South Africa, and recently Histophilus somni has been the second most common isolate, instead of Staphylococcus aureus which used to be in second place. Severe gangrenous blue udder was caused by S. aureus in a flock in langa. Although the isolate was very susceptible to nearly all the commonly used antibiotics, severe losses occurred despite treatment with the correct antibiotics. This was probably due to toxins, as bacteria that have been killed break up, and their toxins are released, often with fatal results. The OBP Blue Udder vaccine contains 3 Mannheimia strains, and two strains of Staphylococcus aureus. The two Staphylococcus strains included in the vaccine were selected on the basis of the haemolysins (which are also toxins) that the two strains produced. The vaccine should protect the ewes in this case. Laboratory report submitted by dr. Rick Last Not sure if this may be of interest to your monthly disease report, but the liver fluke faecal antigen test is producing some interesting results. Just to let you know that we are starting to get a steady flow of Complete faecal Panel requests (Roundworm, tapeworm, fluke, coccidia flotations + Liver Fluke antigen). We are picking up positive liver fluke antigen tests from Stellenbosch, Somerset East, Underberg and Standerton. Some of the antigen tests from Stellenbosch and Somerset East have been high positives confirming heavy fluke infestation. Interestingly, in none of these positive fluke samples were any fluke eggs detected on flotation. Therefore, warn your farmers to be very wary of feeling comfortable with a negative fluke flotation test. 37